Yeah Saffold was looked at like a steal as the top pick in round two and from what I recall his rookie season was a big success, but since then he's struggled and played/started only 19 of 32 games. Maybe a change of scenery would do him good, but a) his deal expires next year and b) he'd cost probably at least a second round pick.

I'd rather take my chances on pick #5 being a LT.

I agree... And I'll add... The best thing for him to do would probably be to stay in St. Louis.

And, while the running game may have gotten a huge boost with him in there, the passing game sure didn't...

March 18th, 2013, 12:07 pm

DayDreamer

3rd Round Selection

Joined: December 18th, 2008, 9:18 amPosts: 1103Location: Where I lay my head is home

Re: Off-Season Moves

If Reiff is really as bad as you say he is, don't you think Saffold will be an improvement?

The question is, if both the top LTs are gone by the time we pick, would you trade the second round pick for Saffold? Or would you take a chance at a second round LT?

March 18th, 2013, 12:50 pm

thelomasbrowns

Player of the Year - Defense

Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:54 pmPosts: 2823

Re: Off-Season Moves

Wasn't Saffold drafted as a RT and then moved over once it was clear Jason Smith was a bust? I'd rather give Reiff a shot than trade for somebody like that. After all, if he's so great, why bring in Long?

_________________"Good teams don't worry about a whole lot of stuff. They travel, they play, they win. And it doesn't matter where they go, what the time block is, all those kinds of things. They never seem to bother teams that play well, and we want to be one of those teams." -Jim Caldwell

March 18th, 2013, 1:31 pm

wjb21ndtown

Re: Off-Season Moves

DayDreamer wrote:

If Reiff is really as bad as you say he is, don't you think Saffold will be an improvement?

The question is, if both the top LTs are gone by the time we pick, would you trade the second round pick for Saffold? Or would you take a chance at a second round LT?

I think both players are C- players in pass protection, and B+ players in run blocking. We need someone better than that in pass-pro. We literally pass more than any other team in the NFL. Even if we scale back our passing by 10-20%, we'll still be in the top 5 for passing attempts.

Apparently Mayhew is interested in signing Osi. Being from NJ, all I heard about was Osi wanting more money, he's not happy, etc. I'm not sold on this, but if he got his head out his rear, he might do well on our line.

Quote:

Report: Lions, Dolphins interested in Osi Umenyiora

Posted by Josh Alper on March 18, 2013, 3:51 PM EDT

Getty ImagesThe market for free agent defensive ends has been weaker than anticipated, which isn’t great news for Osi Umenyiora.

Umenyiora huffed and puffed for years to get out of his contract with the Giants, finally succeeding when the team restructured his contract in 2012 to allow him to become a free agent this offseason. Umenyiora planned to cash in with a deal he felt was commensurate with his productivity. It’s a week into free agency and we’ve barely heard a whisper about Umenyiora, which suggests the market for his services is not as robust as he hoped.

According to Mike Garafolo of USA Today, it’s not because of a lack of interest. Garafolo reports that the Lions, Dolphins and others have expressed serious interest in Umenyiora but that the money isn’t there for defensive ends. With Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew saying Monday, via Tim Twentyman of the team’s website, that the team is probably done with big name signings, it doesn’t really look like the market’s going to get much stronger.

Umenyiora appears destined to settle for less money than he wanted to get as a free agent. If history is any guide, we should hear his dissatisfaction with that state of affairs shortly after he signs a contract for the 2013 season.

_________________Just a thought...

March 18th, 2013, 4:15 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10398Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Off-Season Moves

thelomasbrowns wrote:

Wasn't Saffold drafted as a RT and then moved over once it was clear Jason Smith was a bust? I'd rather give Reiff a shot than trade for somebody like that. After all, if he's so great, why bring in Long?

Saffold was actually like Branden Albert. Both played guard in their final college seasons, but showed the quickness, strength and footwork to be considered capable of moving to LT in the pros. In both cases, their respective teams almost immediately moved them to left tackle.

If the Lions were to show interest in Saffold, it should be to move him back to guard, which he and his agent would likely turn down. Riley Reiff will be fine if the Lions put him at left tackle this season. I simply don't understand the feeling that he can't do that job. Is he the next Orlando Pace? No. But I think he is better than some folks are saying.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

Apparently Mayhew is interested in signing Osi. Being from NJ, all I heard about was Osi wanting more money, he's not happy, etc. I'm not sold on this, but if he got his head out his rear, he might do well on our line.

Quote:

Report: Lions, Dolphins interested in Osi Umenyiora

Posted by Josh Alper on March 18, 2013, 3:51 PM EDT

Getty ImagesThe market for free agent defensive ends has been weaker than anticipated, which isn’t great news for Osi Umenyiora.

Umenyiora huffed and puffed for years to get out of his contract with the Giants, finally succeeding when the team restructured his contract in 2012 to allow him to become a free agent this offseason. Umenyiora planned to cash in with a deal he felt was commensurate with his productivity. It’s a week into free agency and we’ve barely heard a whisper about Umenyiora, which suggests the market for his services is not as robust as he hoped.

According to Mike Garafolo of USA Today, it’s not because of a lack of interest. Garafolo reports that the Lions, Dolphins and others have expressed serious interest in Umenyiora but that the money isn’t there for defensive ends. With Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew saying Monday, via Tim Twentyman of the team’s website, that the team is probably done with big name signings, it doesn’t really look like the market’s going to get much stronger.

Umenyiora appears destined to settle for less money than he wanted to get as a free agent. If history is any guide, we should hear his dissatisfaction with that state of affairs shortly after he signs a contract for the 2013 season.

oh man if we could get him for a year or two, then draft a guy in the 3/4th round to groom......

Yeah buddy!

_________________2013 Lionbacker Fantasy Football Champion

March 18th, 2013, 4:24 pm

kdsberman

League MVP

Joined: February 20th, 2007, 10:51 pmPosts: 3485Location: Saginaw, MI

Re: Off-Season Moves

Id like Osi.

March 18th, 2013, 4:37 pm

JL

Div 1 - Starter

Joined: December 13th, 2005, 2:09 pmPosts: 536

Re: Off-Season Moves

If the Lions sign Osi I hope it's for one year, moderate amount of money, and no options.

Osi did nothing but run his mouth in NY for years, while being on a winning team. I can't see him being a good soldier on a team still building up for consistent playoff runs.

_________________If God isn't a Lions fan, then why is the sky Honolulu Blue?

March 18th, 2013, 4:38 pm

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 4180Location: Davison Mi

Re: Off-Season Moves

JL wrote:

If the Lions sign Osi I hope it's for one year, moderate amount of money, and no options.

Osi did nothing but run his mouth in NY for years, while being on a winning team. I can't see him being a good soldier on a team still building up for consistent playoff runs.

yeah I'd say a 2 year deal at most. if he wants big money I thnk thats all he sign for anyways since he looks like he's not gettin it now.

_________________"Good teams don't worry about a whole lot of stuff. They travel, they play, they win. And it doesn't matter where they go, what the time block is, all those kinds of things. They never seem to bother teams that play well, and we want to be one of those teams." -Jim Caldwell

March 18th, 2013, 8:42 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10398Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Off-Season Moves

Personally I'd pass on Osi. He's more interested it talking about unfairly he's being treated than going out on the field and proving he still has gas in the tank. I think he's well beyond his prime, he knows it, and he tries to cover up his shortcomings by talking a good game rather than playing a good game. Draft a DE in round one or two, give Willie and Ronnell some additional playing time, and make an attempt to bring Lo Jack back into the fold.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

March 18th, 2013, 8:46 pm

njroar

QB Coach

Joined: September 25th, 2007, 3:20 amPosts: 3220

Re: Off-Season Moves

^ agree. Being in the NY market I saw a lot of Osi and to me he's an older version of Cliff. Angles bad against the run and his talk definitely didn't translate to his play. Bring back Lojack and you still need another that we can get in the draft or cheap option in FA.

_________________"Good teams don't worry about a whole lot of stuff. They travel, they play, they win. And it doesn't matter where they go, what the time block is, all those kinds of things. They never seem to bother teams that play well, and we want to be one of those teams." -Jim Caldwell